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About the job
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Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
In May 2021, the Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Commons that the Government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the Inquiries Act of 2005.
In December 2021 Baroness Heather Hallett DBE was appointed as Chair to the Inquiry and following an initial set up phase we are now looking for exceptional staff to join the Inquiry team.
The Inquiry are seeking a Reporting and Assurance Officer.
The Inquiry sits independent of the Government with the Cabinet office acting as the sponsoring department.
This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive, innovative team where you will be supported to challenge yourself in often ambiguous circumstances. The team encourages working in a flexible, collaborative manner to learn and support each other as we look to undertake one of the broadest, most publicly anticipated inquiries in UK history.
Conflicts of interest:
Please note that candidates invited to interview will be invited to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interests which could affect the independence of the Inquiry, in confidence, to the senior recruiting manager. This may include current or prior work undertaken on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Decisions on any potential conflict of interest will be made before an appointment to the role is confirmed.
Job description
The Programme Management Office is one of four Directorates within the Inquiry team: alongside the Policy, Legal, Analysis and Research, Communications and Engagement and Operations Directorates. The Programme Director is responsible for the overall planning and governance framework for the Inquiry, supported by two G6-led teams covering planning and delivery; and governance, risk and reporting.
The successful person will be key in the production of internal and external reports that provide progress updates on all of the Inquiry's work.
Responsibilities in your role will include but are not limited to:
- Coordination and creation of regular internal reports and board packs for Senior Leadership Team meetings
- Coordination and creation of external reports that the public will use to understand the progress of the Inquiry
- Develop guidance / templates for use by teams to facilitate standardised reporting across the Inquiry
- Engage with Senior Leaders to brief them on any issues identified and highlight any trends
- Support in developing the maturity of reporting packs and champion continuous improvement
- Championing the PMO’s role across the Inquiry team, including ensuring relevant and timely flow of information to the whole Inquiry team and seeking regular feedback on improvements to ways of working.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of working with and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, whilst being able to adapt approach.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills with a proven track record of building effective relationships
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels
- Planning, organising and prioritising own workload and where necessary ensuring deliverables are in line with wider organisational timescales.
- Ability to work flexibly and respond to evolving priorities, and deliver to short deadlines
- Seek out and analyse a range of information, taking a positive approach to tackling problems and identifying suitable solutions. You will think ahead and have a professional curiosity, inviting challenge and understanding the evidence before making decisions.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Reporting technical information
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process
Please upload your CV and employment history.
Tell us about how you go about managing a quality service.
You should also provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words which should address the essential criteria and demonstrate the areas outlined in the person specification listed above. You should also outline your motivation for applying for the role.
Selection process
Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour - managing a quality service.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
If you are successful in securing an interview you will be asked questions on the behaviours listed within the advert and about your relevant experience.
There will also be an informal presentation relating to your technical skills, the details of which will be shared ahead of the interview.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – 06/06/2023
Expected interview date/s – 19/06/2023
Interview location - Remote, Video
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.
Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at [email protected]. For further information on the Recruitment Principles. and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.